The Assassins Hockey Hop

 

 

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1.	Romantic Reads and Such	2.	BookHounds
3.	The Jeep Diva	4.	I Read Indie
5.	Blackraven's Erotic Cafe	6.	AJ's Reading Nook
7.	Blackraven's Reviews	8.	HEARomances With A Little Kick
9.	The Readers Roundtable	10.	Books Books and More Books
11.	Devoured Words	12.	Globug and Hootie
13.	Book Monster Reviews	14.	StuckInBooks
15.	Book Lovin' Mamas	16.	Book-A-Holic Anon
17.	Read Your Writes Book Reviews	18.	Tome Tender
19.	Eye on Romance	20.	Seduced By A Book
21.	The Autumn Review	22.	Cocktails and Books
23.	What's On The Bookshelf	24.	All Aboard!
25.	Bitten By Love Reviews	26.	Mimmi's Musings
27.	Readers Confession	28.	From the TBR Pile
29.	Over the Edge Reviews	30.	Spare Time Book Blog
31.	As the Page Turns	32.	Bookshelf Confessions
33.	Always YA at Heart	34.	What I'm Reading
35.	Lushbookreviewss.blogspot.com	36.	Reading Between the Wines
37.	Insane Hussein	38.	PonyTails Book Reviews
39.	Literati Literature Lovers	40.	Socrates' Book Review Blog
41.	My Book Muse	42.	Burning Impossibly Bright
43.	Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews	44.	Book Nerds Across America
45.	Literary, etc	46.	Julie Reviews Books
47.	Parnormal and Urban Fantasy Reviews	48.	SJMaylee
49.	Phantasmic Reads	50.	My Secret Romance
51.	Insightful Minds Reviews	52.	A Novel Affair [book blog]
53.	RomCon	54.	Cheeky Reads
55.	The Revolving Bookcase	56.	Aislynn @ Stitch Read Cook
57.	MsRomanticReads	58.	Blogging by Liza
59.	In Love with Romance	60.	A Little Bit Tart, A Little Bit Sweet
61.	cupcake's book cupboard	62.	my secret romance

 

 

About the books:

Taking Shots: In Toni Aleo’s exhilarating debut, the first in a series featuring the hockey hunks of the Nashville Assassins, a reformed bad boy helps a charming, willful woman face off against the demons of her past. No matter how hard she tries, Eleanor Fisher never thinks she’s good enough, from her job to her weight to her love life. After enduring years of abuse at the hands of an ex-boyfriend, Elli has been drifting through life in a daze. Until, that is, she meets Shea Adler on a promotional shoot for the NHL’s Nashville Assassins. Before Elli knows what’s happening, the gorgeous Shea breaks the ice and shatters her world. A brilliant athlete inside the rink, Shea Adler is tired of the life he’s living outside of it: the girls, the money, the drinking. But everything changes when he meets Elli. After laying eyes on this feisty, witty, beautiful woman, he feels like he’s just taken the hardest hit of his life. No matter how skeptical she is, Shea knows they are meant to be together—if only he can convince Elli to put her insecurities aside throw her insecurities out the window before she misses out on a shot at love.
Trying to Score: In a captivating novel of hockey and healing hearts, the newest member of the Nashville Assassins pulls a power play to make things right with the one that got away. Fallon Parker’s dream has always been to turn her family’s wine company into a runaway success and eventually to start a cellar of her own. Since graduating from college, she has worked relentlessly to make that dream a reality, especially after taking a chance on love—and losing. By the time Fallon becomes an official sponsor of the Nashville Assassins, she feels like all her hard work is finally paying off. And then the man who broke her heart skates back into her life. On the ice, Lucas Brooks is the NHL’s leading scorer—at least when he’s not in the box. Off the ice, he’s a mess, with all his anger and misery bottled up inside. He threw away the most important person in his life and has regretted it ever since. But when Lucas returns to Nashville in a trade, he’s determined to convince Fallon that he’s a changed man. The attraction is still there. The tension is electrifying. But the odds are stacked against them—especially after Lucas finds out that Fallon has been keeping a devastating secret.
Empty Net: The chiseled men of the Nashville Assassins can make anything happen when they go all-out for the women they want—even turn a one-night stand into a happily ever after. Audrey Parker is up against the boards. She’s stuck in a job she hates and pining for a total jerk. Meanwhile, her sister Fallon is moving out and getting married to hockey star Lucas Brooks. Where is Audrey’s Prince Charming? Nothing she does has ever seemed to be good enough for any of the men in her life. Audrey’s about to hit rock bottom . . . until she wakes up next to Tate Odder. The thrill of moving up from the minors to the Nashville Assassins was a welcome distraction. But not even becoming the first rookie goalie to tally three shutouts in the Stanley Cup Finals alleviates the pain. With the loss of his parents and sister weighing as heavily on his soul as ever, Tate Odder can’t keep pretending he’s okay. That’s when he meets smart, sexy Audrey. Her gentle warmth and quirky sense of humor make him feel whole for the first time in too long. But to stay that way forever, Tate must find a way to accept his past and learn to live for love.

 

Giveaways galore:

• 5 sets of the series to etailer of choice;
• 10 net galley preview copy giveaway sets;
• $20 EGC Starbucks, the drink of hockey fans everywhere!

 

 

 

Enter to win here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c46e0b17/

 

 

Guest Post & Giveaway with Author Zoe Archer

By Zoë Archer

Good girls love bad boys.  We’re drawn to men who don’t follow the rules—or even break those rules.  We’re fascinated by how little they care what others think of them.  They do what they want, when they want, and to hell with anyone who doesn’t like it.  And we love the idea that somehow, beneath all that unruly behavior, there’s a good man, one who not only possesses honor, but the ability and need to be loved.  We want to tame the bad boy…but not too much! After all, what’s the fun in having a bad boy if he’s lost all his badness?

But how bad is too bad?  When does that bad boy become irredeemable?  Is it possible to write romance novels where the heroes were also the villains?

When I starting writing the HELLRAISERS series, I asked myself that very question.  How far could I push the boundaries with my five wealthy, privileged rakes?  I wondered, throughout the series, if the Hellraisers could be both the heroes of their stories, and also the antagonists.  And could the heroines (and the readers) love them? 

In their pursuit of pleasure, the Hellraisers inadvertently free the Devil from his prison.  They’re rewarded for their service by receiving supernatural gifts, one per Hellraiser, that speaks to their hearts’ darkest desires.  Whit, the hero of DEVIL’S KISS, is addicted to gambling, so he’s given the power to control probability and the odds.  Leo, the hero of DEMON’S BRIDE, is a self-made man who’s created a huge fortune through investments in trade, and so his power is the ability to see the future. 

Bram, the hero of SINNER’S HEART, is the darkest and most tormented of the Hellraisers.  He’s a veteran of the war with the French and their Native allies in the Americas.  Bram returned to England with terrible physical and emotional scars, and, as a Hellraiser, he loses himself in sensual pleasure to forget the horrors of war.  Mr. Holiday, as the Devil likes to call himself, gives Bram the supernatural ability to convince anyone to do anything—though Bram can only use the power once per person. 

I won’t sugarcoat it: through most of the Hellraisers series, and into his own book, Bram isn’t a good person.  He’s ruthless when it comes to securing his pleasure, and many of his actions are problematic.  But Bram’s the key player when it comes to the war against the Devil.  Without Bram on the side of good, the world could literally go to hell.

That’s where Valeria Livia Corva comes in.  During her lifetime, Livia wasn’t a particularly good person, either.  Yes, I do mean “during her lifetime,” because (not a spoiler) Livia’s a ghost.  She was the Roman priestess who originally summoned the Dark One over a thousand years ago, but learned too late the disastrous repercussions of her actions.  So she had to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to put the Dark One into a supernatural prison.  Now that the Hellraisers have freed him once more, Livia must work to prevent the Devil from creating hell on earth.  She has some allies in a few of the other Hellraisers, but it’s Bram who’s essential to win the fight.

Trouble is, a man as fallen as Bram isn’t much interested in saving the world.  It’s fortunate that, while Livia may be a ghost, she’s not without power, and she’s got a will as strong as Bram’s.  So, can one formerly evil woman convince this incorrigible sinner to take up his sword to battle the Devil? Can this very, very bad boy be redeemed? 

(You may have noticed all the pictures of Richard Armitage in this blog post. Not only is he the model for Bram, I thought everyone might enjoy just looking at pictures of him.  You’re welcome. *wink*) 

So, my question to you is this: is there such a thing as a hero being too bad?  What could make him beyond redemption?  And what is it that you love most about bad boys?  Leave a comment, and you could win a copy of SINNER’S HEART (US and Canada only). 

SINNER’S HEART

The Hellraisers, Book 3

Demons Of The Past

Abraham Stirling, Lord Rothwell, was a fighter once, a soldier in the Colonies. But Bram returned to London with more nightmares than tales of glory. Now he drowns his senses in the arms of countless women, while his friends, the Hellraisers, ensure he needn't sin alone.

Until, that is, the Devil himself grants them each a wish, undoing their camaraderie as they explore their wicked powers. Bram finds himself magically bound to Valeria Livia Corva, the sensuous priestess who raised the Devil the first time--and died to send the demon back.

She may be a ghost, but Livia is no angel. The raw passion she witnesses in Bram's memories isn't much different from her behavior when she had a body to enjoy. But it doesn't make it any easier to convince Bram to become a warrior again, lest all London burn. And the fierce desires reawakening within her might just start the blaze. . .

Zoë Archer is an award-winning romance author who thinks there's nothing sexier than a man in tall boots and a waistcoat. As a child, she never dreamed about being the rescued princess, but wanted to kick butt right beside the hero. She now applies her master's degrees in Literature and Fiction to creating butt-kicking heroines and heroes in tall boots. She is the author of the acclaimed BLADES OF THE ROSE series and the paranormal historical romance series, THE HELLRAISERS. She and her husband, fellow romance author Nico Rosso, created the steampunk world of THE ETHER CHRONICLES together. Her new gritty Victorian romance series, NEMESIS, UNLIMITED, launches this year.  Zoë and Nico live in Los Angeles.

Excerpt

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Guest Post with Maya Rodale

Dear Annabelle,

My dear sister has fled into the night rather than marry a rake like the Duke of Temberlay. There’s a reason why he’s known as Devil—several in fact! Without this marriage, my family faces poverty, and I will be forced to seek employment to support my mother and two small sisters. I am considering a desperate course of action, Annabelle—taking my sister’s place at the altar. By the time Temberlay discovers I’m an imposter, things will, ahem, have gone too far for an annulment. I’m willing—just to save my family of course, not because he’s the handsomest man alive, and a duke, and a war hero with a fortune.

Do I dare to marry him, Annabelle?  Waiting breathlessly for your advice!

Lady Marguerite Lynton from How To Deceive A Duke by Lecia Cornwall

Dear Lady Marguerite,

I am also breathlessly awaiting my advice for that is quite the quandary you are in! If you must seek employment, do join me, Lady Brandon, Lady Roxbury and Lady Wycliff and become one of The London Weekly’s infamous Writing Girls. However, we hardly compare to a devilish duke, who is a wealthy war hero to boot!

The part of me that reads romantic novels says Yes! Marry him in secret! But my practical side encourages you to make your feelings plain and propose to him (that alone is scandalous!). In seeking a compromise, I spoke to my friend, Lady Charlotte Brandon, who is a notorious schemer (famously of Three Schemes and a Scandal) but her suggestion included highway robbery, assorted disguises and all sorts of scandalous behavior taking place in the dead of the night.

Above all, I encourage you to live daringly and courageously, for I have recently discovered that the whole world opens up if you do.

Yours,

Annabelle from Seducing Mr. Knightly

Reprinted with permission from The London Weekly

Question: If you were in Lady Marguerite’s situation, would you marry the duke? 

Early Review: Eternal Beast by Laura Wright

Ever since his abduction by the Eternal Order of Vampires, Gray Donohue has finally found his true calling: vengeance. He will stop at nothing to bring his fellow Impure vampires the freedom they deserve. Now if he could just release his primal need for the beautiful vampire who saved his life—and rules his thoughts and desires…

After nearly killing the senator she was assigned to protect, Dillon is now in mortal danger. The jaguar within her has been unleashed, and she can no longer control it. Sex is the only thing that can tame her shift. And Gray is the only man who can make her surrender to a passion strong enough to overpower her inner beast. But she doesn’t want to surrender—she wants her life back. Because she is determined never to belong to anyone, especially not Gray—the male whom destiny claims is her mate…

Review:

Eternal Beast is the 4^th book in Mark of the Vampire series, and I swear, each book just gets better and better! I have been anxiously awaiting Gray’s book since book 1. I’ve just been drawn to him from being the mysterious brother of Sarah who went through such a tragic event that locked him in his mind and nonspeaking, to his mind being unlocked and discovering and having to deal with being an Impure Vampire to finding out secrets about his own family that has led him to the point where we start off in Eternal Beast.

Grayson Donahue is the leader of the Impure Resistance, as his father was before him. He has been working with a small group of Impure Vampires to rescue other Impures from the authority of The Order. He is very strong minded and focused on his cause and won’t let anything deter him from his mission, even Dillon.

Dillon and Gray always seem to have intense interactions and that doesn’t fade in this book. Dillon has had a traumatic past and she has learned to shut off her feelings and prefers to be closed off and pushes others away. When she finds herself stuck in her mutore form as a jaguar and it seems the only thing to help her make the shift back to vampire is Gray’s touch, she seeks his help but Gray is determined to not be used by her anymore and is determined to try and discover what this attraction is between them. They butt heads a lot and one importantly is Gray’s mission. I loved the struggles these two had to work through and how Gray wouldn’t give up on Dillon no matter how much she tries to run away or push him away.

I loved that we get to see plenty of the other characters that we love and are still involved with them even when some parts of the story isn’t tied directly to Gray or Dillon, it all ties in together very nicely and helps give the story a rounded look at everything going on.  We discover a few interesting twists and look forward to those playing out more in future books.

If you are new to this series I would HIGHLY recommend starting from the beginning. Each book builds on to the last and I think that you would miss out on some crucial events and story lines to full appreciate this book… well and can’t forget to mention getting to know these hot, sexy, loveable vampires through each book ;) The Epilogue left off with a great introduction to the next book Eternal Demon, can’t wait to read about Erion!!!

Review: Almost a Scandal by Elizabeth Essex

For generations, the Kents have served proudly with the British Royal Navy. So when her younger brother refuses to report for duty, Sally Kent slips into a uniform and takes his place—at least until he comes to his senses. Boldly climbing aboard the Audacious, Sally is as able-bodied as any sailor there. But one man is making her feel tantalizingly aware of the full-bodied woman beneath her navy blues…

Dedicated to his ship, sworn to his duty—and distractingly gorgeous—Lieutenant David Colyear sees through Sally’s charade, and he’s furious. But he must admit she’s the best midshipman on board—and a woman who tempts him like no other. With his own secrets to hide and his career at stake, Col agrees to keep her on. But can the passion they hide survive the perils of a battle at sea? Soon, their love and devotion will be put to the test…

Review:

Sally Kent is the only daughter, with several brothers, who has grown up in a family where going off to have a career in the Navy is important. When her younger brother refuses to take his duty and actually runs away, she decides to take his place to save the honor of her family, and her desires to have the choice of being able to work on ship, which she very much excels at.  I really liked Sally’s independent nature and I loved seeing her thrive while on ship and being able to prove herself as capable. She doesn’t hesitate and I loved her willingness to help out her fellow midshipman.

David Colyear is the 1^st Lieutenant aboard the ship Audacious, Col also happens to be friends with Sally’s older brothers and they met 6 years earlier. Col had fond memories of Sally and it doesn’t take him long to figure out that Sally has in on ship in place of Richard. Col is attracted to Sally and to keep his mind on his job and to help keep Sally’s secret, he attempts to keep his distance, but it just doesn’t work.

I enjoyed this book well enough but I wish there was more of the romance part in it. Obviously while in ship, Col and Sally weren’t able to have the opportunity to do anything in order to keep Sally’s secret. I enjoyed the innocence of their feelings for each other but that also showed in their love making scenes that kind of fell short for me. The rest of the story kept my interest but it was towards the end where it really hooked me and without giving anything away, I could really feel and connect with Sally’s feelings, which is what pulled me into this part of the story the most.

ARC Review: Moonglow by Kristen Callihan

Once the seeds of desire are sown . . .

Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .

Their growing passion knows no bounds . . .

Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.

Review:

Moonglow is the second book in Kristen Callihan’s Darkest London series and I liked this story even more then the first.

Daisy Ellis Craigmore is sister to Miranda Archer (heroine in Firelight, bk 1). She is newly widowed and could not be more trilled to go out and take advantage of this new freedom from and old, abusive husband. When at a party she finds herself attacked, but thankfully survives, by a werewolf, she is rescued by Ian Ranualf. Daisy tries to put on a good front, but she struggles with insecurities that she tries to hide with crudeness and humor.

Ian Ranulf is a lycan, who has voluntarily exiled himself from his clan instead of becoming their leader after his father, which his younger brother decided to take in Ian’s place. We learn throughout the book the events that led up to this decision, but overall he just wants a normal life. Ian’s life has been very lonely and he’s getting to the point where he is running out of ways to distract himself from this. When he comes across Daisy’s attack, he is drawn to her and takes her to his home to care for her. Things are complicated for Ian and Daisy from the beginning as they figure out the tie they have to each other, namely Ian trying to get between Miranda and her now husband Archer (whom Ian used to be best friends with back in the day).

Many times throughout the book I couldn’t help but compare my feelings to Firelight since I read it right before Moonglow. Some of the things that really stuck out to me that led me to enjoy Moonglow more is the way that Ian and Daisy’s relationship developed. I liked the speed of it, the context of what they had to go through that brought them together, and how they work together as partners to figure out the mystery of the werewolf. I absolutely loved Ian, his teasing, his protectiveness, and the way that he loves whole-heartedly. I loved Daisy because she is strong, independent, and passionate about something when she gets her mind set on it. My heart broke for these two characters each time something was revealed about their pasts and I loved the way that they didn’t run from the other’s past but that it helps bring them closer together.

I enjoyed getting to see more of the paranormal side to this world and get introduced to new entities. Moonglow included a great side story to Weston and Poppy (Daisy and Miranda’s eldest sister) and introducing what we have to look forward to unraveling in their story, Winterblaze, I can’t wait!

Review: After the Crux (Crux Survivors #1) by Dani Worth

In a lonely, plague-devastated world, it is definitely not every man for himself.

Seventeen years after the Crux Virus wiped out most of the world’s population, Ross is doing what he can to keep his small community safe from raiders in a self-contained artist retreat in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico. He’s made a habit of collecting survivors and they’ve all become family, but the most important members have always been Jenna and Dorian.

At fourteen, Ross stumbled into the basement where the nine-year-olds were hiding and the three have been together ever since. Years later, Jenna and Dorian became lovers. Now, at thirty, Ross hopes to find a love of his own on supply runs, but he suffers incredible guilt because his heart has long been snagged by his two best friends.

Alone with his tangled emotions, Ross is about to discover that his friends have their own ideas about their relationship…and how it is about to change.

Review:

After the Crux is the 1^st book in a new series that is set 17 years after a fatal disease wiped through the population leaving survivors to fend for themselves in this desolate world. Cities and civilizations are dissertated and the surviving individuals form families and they must raid forgotten towns to find food and other previsions that they need to keep on surviving.

This story primarily revolves Ross, who is pretty much the leader of his “family”. His family first began when he was 14 years old and he stumbled upon two 9 year old friends Jenna and Dorian and since then they have added to their family with individuals that Ross meets on raids. As the years have gone on, Jenna and Dorian have established a sexual relationship together, one that Ross covets as he is secretly in love with Jenna. Before he leaves to go on one of his raids he witnesses Jenna and Dorian in a compromising position and finds that he has confusing feelings for Dorian as well.

I could just feel the loneliness from Ross being on the outside of Jenna and Dorian’s relationship, yearning to have what they have. Each time he goes out, he hopes to find someone for himself. While on a particular raid Ross is severally injured that nudges the 3 of them to accept and come to terms with the love that they feel for each other. The love between the three really develops fast as the book goes, but we are given the info of how the relationships developed through the years that led them to the point that the book starts at. I couldn’t help but feel all squishy inside with how sweet the love is between Ross, Jenna, and Dorian.

I really enjoyed the side characters and loved how open they are and you love who you love. In this world, you can’t turn away from a chance to love and be loved. The bad guys that they encounter are real nasty and it gives the other characters an opportunity to shine, show how they can work together and help defend each other. My only complaint, and this really has nothing to do with the story, is that the story ended when my kindle read 87%. I just wasn’t prepared for it to end yet! But once I got over that shock, I was satisfied with the actual ending and thought it left off at a good point that will bring us to the next book.

Review: Conquered by a Highlander by Paula Quinn

BOUND BY DUTY

Colin MacGregor was born to fight-for his beliefs, his king, and his family's honor. After years away from his beloved Scotland, he yearns to return to its lush, green hills-and he can, after he completes one final mission for the king. Sent to infiltrate a traitor's home, Colin is determined to expose the treasonous plot and triumph on the battlefield . . . until he meets a sensual lass who tempts him towards other pursuits . . . .

BETRAYED BY PASSION

Lady Gillian Dearly is no stranger to temptation. Cast out of her family for bearing an illegitimate child, she's now the ward of a barbarian conspiring against the king. Her only desire: freedom for her son and for herself at any cost, even if it means making a deal with the devil. Yet when a mysterious Highlander appears in their midst, his braw strength and smoldering gaze give her hope for a future beyond the castle walls-and promise a desire unlike any she's ever known. But passion comes at a price . . .

Review:

I am completely in love with Paula Quinn’s MacGregor clan! While the 1^st three books in the Children of the Mist series are all happening around the same time, this book takes place 3 years in the future, which allows Colin to become more experienced and grow from his 19 years in the first few books.

Colin is the youngest son of the infamous Devil MacGregor and has prided himself to become as strong of a warrior as his father and has devoted himself to the war that is brewing to rid England of a Catholic king. He has strongly believed in his cause, until recently when he’s not so sure that he believes in King James’ motivations anymore. After a brief visit home where he sees each of his siblings married and with kids, he’s off to one last task where he will disguise who his is and infiltrate his one of his enemy’s stronghold to seek out information before his army comes to destroy them. This is where he meets Gillian, cast out of her father’s home for becoming pregnant out of wedlock and forced into the custody of her disgusting cousin, who wants her so much but does everything he can to break her to his will.

Colin has never been a man to be swayed by a woman or anything to veer him off his path once it’s set, and his only focus has been battle and protecting his kin. He is a very smart and cunning warrior and General in the king’s army but something about Gillian and 3 year old Edmund draws him in. Gillian is one tough girl and I loved how devoted to her son she was and the lengths she was willing to go to in order protect him.  Now Colin isn’t necessarily my favorite MacGregor off spring (I mean come on, he has some sexy older brothers, it’s not his fault) but he has definitely had me pondering him from the beginning with how closed off his was and how strict his focus is. I liked how we get to see a new side to Colin, one he didn’t even know he possessed, as he slowly falls for Edmund and then Gillian. It warms my heart whenever these big strong men show so much affection for children in stories, must be the mother in me.

As I said I am in love with the MacGregor clan and I am kicking myself for waiting so long to discover these books. I would recommend these books to anyone who likes Historical Romances; I mean seriously, you cannot go wrong with some crazy hot warrior Scotsmen ;) I will be eagerly looking forward to reading anything else that Paula Quinn writes in the future!